Nigeria @62; A Reflection Of Who We Are And What We Must Do
OFFICE OF THE CITIZEN FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
Fellow citizens of Nigeria, it is with great pleasure I join those of you here at home and abroad to celebrate this special day in our political existence. Many years ago, our founding fathers pursued a common cause of liberating this country called“NIGERIA” from the colonial control of Britain. In the early years of nationhood, Nigeria had man prospects considering the quality and quantity of natural and human resources available to her. Under the regional federal system of the First Republic, Nigeria irrespective of some leadership challenges made significant progress in the area of governance and national development as each region was maximizing the resources within their territory for the wellbeing and advancement of their people. This led to healthy competition among the regions. The military came into politics citing the corruption of civilian leaders but the military also became corrupt and politicised resulting in many coups and civil war came that further bruised our national unity. Despite the military government of Gowon declaring “no victor, no vanquish” and going further tointroduce the Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction policy (3Rs), the nation has not been completely healed of her past wounds especially when political elites who profit fromtriggering our fault lines engage in their rent-seeking politics.
Despite the scars of the civil war, political instability and economic mismanagement that faced Nigeria between the 1970s and 1998, the country was able to record significant national developments with resources available to it then than now. Within the period, Nigeria had functional refineries, waterboard,railway system, quality civil service, a national airline, effective postal service, a globally respected military, vibrant foreign policy, a comparatively fair educational system that provided scholarships for brilliant students/citizens of the country, effective and development-oriented local government administration, fair healthcare system, controlled inflation, goodnational security that permit people to embark on night travels across the country and crude oil theft was minimal compared to what is happening today. We were doing considerably fine which led to foreigners from Africa and other parts of the world trooping to Nigeria for a better livelihood to the point we embarked on the “Ghana Must Go” campaign.
The yearnings of many Nigerians for democratic leadership after years of military dictatorship became a reality with the birth of the present Fourth Republic in 1999. Many Nigerians were filled with optimism as it was at independence that the country under the new democratic dispensation will bring hope and prosperity. After twenty-three years of uninterrupted democracy, sixty-twoyears of independence and one hundred and eight years of nationhood since the 1914 amalgamation, Nigerians are yet to see the Nigeria of their dream. The situation today makes it look as if our past is better than our present when our present ought to be better than our past. The big question is “who should to be blamed for this poor progress?”
It is often said that every nation is a reflection of its people. It is the humans in a particular society that determines the growth, development, and prosperity of such society through their behaviours and actions which constitute the culture of the society. The difference between developed, developing and underdeveloped countries is nothing but the people inhabiting them. This is because man is the epicentre of development.Given this, the Nigeria of today is a reflection of who we are.
Our dear nation is faced with numerous leadership and followership challenges. It is important to state clearly that there is nothing wrong with the geographical territory called NIGERIA but there is everything wrong with the people (leaders and followers). God has given us all that we need to be the best we can be both in natural and human resources. Also, there's nothing wrong with our ethnic and religious identities. However,there is everything wrong with how we deploy them as an instrument of division and bigotry. The beauty of our diversity has become a huge national heritage which is evident in our sports and entertainment/creative industry.
Our political affiliation which ought to enrich the quality of our democracy has become a threat to the survival of our democracy because of our extreme partisanship and "winner takes it all politicking." This has only made us more vindictive of ourselves and more divided as a people. Political, traditional and religious leaders have weaponised our political, ethnic and religious fault lines because of the authority and influence they exercise in their spheres of control to sow the seed of discord among the people in their rent-seeking politics instead of using our diversities as a source of moral and social support for the nation's development. For how long are we going to keep up with this trend? Leaders steal from the people, and many ordinary people are stealing from themselves and seeking ways to climb the leadership ladder to have their share of stealing from the commonwealth. Criminals are defended and praised by the people they stole from because of religion, ethnicity and political sentiment. Empathy for a fellow human is gone and patriotism for the nation is lacking. It is like a jungle war.
There is no doubt that the global community is faced with numerous socio-economic and political challenges that havetransnational effects. However, this does not mean we have no responsibility to ourselves in improving the quality of our national life. Today, we face serious trials in almost all areas of national life. Insecurity has spread like wildfire to almost every part of the country resulting in the overstressing and overstretching of our security personnel who have been in the theatre of war for more than a decade. The economy is bleeding with high inflation, depreciating value of the naira, over-dependence on importation, inadequacy of key national infrastructure needed to boost economic activities, rising national debt (domestic and foreign), revenue mismanagement, and the economic sabotage of the nation as seen in the indiscriminate manner in which crude oil is stolen and petroleum subsidy managed. Public officials in their power-drunk attitude are becoming more reckless and arrogant towardsthe people that elected them. Our education system is collapsing as a result of poor funding and management. University lecturershave been on strike for 7 months with no end in sight. Constant strikes by labour unions have crippled the nation's tertiary education system and other sectors like health. This continues to drag many of the citizens into poverty and hopelessness, and fuels mass emigration and brain drain. This triggers the question “what must we do?”
The challenges facing us are not beyond our human capacity toresolve. Despite how gloomy the present situation seems to appear, there are many citizens of the country, particularly the young people who through their innovative, intellectual, andentrepreneurial abilities are putting the country on the global map of greatness. Some people still believe in the greatness of this nation and are doing all they can in their areas of responsibility to better things there. There are still men and women of character and honour who are not afraid to stand for what they believe is right despite the massive corruption that has overtaken many areas of our national life. If the present narrative must change, there is a need for a cultural revolution which must manifest in our moral rebirth. Our attitude towards Nigeria must be one seeking to develop her across all sectors of national life and not to plunder. We must rescue the soul of the country from the wickedness of our past and present if we must redeem our future.
Interestingly, 2023 is around the corner. Many Nigerians once again are desirous of change as seen in 2015. But the main issue is how many persons are ready to pay the price of real change. The 2023 General Elections will not be like other past elections. The contest is going to be thick and may likely put-up political surprises. Nonetheless, the quality of the election and what it can bring to our collective future is dependent on our attitude. If we use the same old attitude that has been defining our politics over the years, we will not see any positive result. Therefore, there isneed for the development of healthy attitudes such as tolerance, civility, accommodation, respect and logical examination of issues. We must take a critical look at those seeking public office both at the federal and state levels in terms of their character, what they have done in the past and what they claim they will do if elected. We must not be carried away by the political noise of the moment or allow our decisions to be informed by ethnoreligious and partisan emotions.
We must ask those seeking to represent us at every level of governance critical and straightforward questions about their plans (short, medium, and long term) for the country and people,how they intend to achieve them considering the socio-cultural, economic, and political climate and condition of present-day Nigeria and the time frame they have set for themselves toaccomplish each plan. We do not have to feel attacked when our candidates are asked vital questions that are in the interest of the nation by those we consider as our oppositions in the contest.Also, we do not need to mock our political opponents for any reason whatsoever. The election must be based on issues affecting us as a people if we must address them and not to take advantage of our fault lines. What affects one of us affects all. Insecurity, inflation, labour unions strike, poverty, hunger, disease and what have you do not consider anyone’s political,ethnic or religious affiliation before attacking. Interestingly, the youths are now actively involved in the process like never before since the start of the Fourth Republic. It is my desire that the energy will be sustained throughout this election period particularly on the day of the election and beyond 2023.
On the part of the political elites, the 2023 election must be about the future of Nigeria and not about who believes it is hisor her turn to rule or the turn of their people to rule. The contest should not be to grab power for self-fulfilment but what to do with the power in the general interest of the people. It is also important that the political actors in this election season must know that Nigeria's interest is bigger than their interest. If they destroy the nation, there is nothing left for them to lead. Therefore, they must abide by every state law guiding the conduct of the 2023 elections. They must avoid violence, electoral malpractice, and ethnoreligious and political incitements in the course of their campaigns. This is democracy, there will be many contenders but only one winner. Also, political elites must be willing to accept the outcome of the election as only one winner is expected to emerge from such a democratic contest and work together for a united and prosperous Nigeria.
I want use this opportunity to sincerely appreciate the men and officers of our armed forces who are diligently rendering their service to the nation. My respect to our fallen heroes who lost their lives serving this nation and our prayers are with their families. We as a nation cannot pay them enough for theimmeasurable sacrifices. I also want to salute Nigerian citizens(home and abroad) who have continued to believe in the land called Nigeria and are doing everything within their powers to represent the country well in their respective areas of assignment. I salute Nigerians who always serve as forces of national unity by their continued stand for what is right and truthful irrespective of their ethnic, religious, and political leanings. I also salute the friends of the country who have continued to support and partner with us in all spheres of human endeavour for shared prosperity.
Finally, our journey so far as a nation may not be what we desired it to be at the moment but there is more to be hoped for. All that is needed to birth the nation of our dreams is our continued commitment to doing things that will guarantee our common prosperity as a people. Nigeria shall rise again to take her rightful place among the league of nations and lead Africa to a new era of greatness. Let us always remember that giving up is not an option. The labour of our heroes' past and that of ourstoday shall never be in vain.
Happy Independence Day Anniversary Nigeria
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Daniel Uchechukwu Lawrence